Thank you for thinking of our
troops!
Thousands of Americans are asking what they
can do to show their support for servicemembers, especially those
serving overseas in this time of war. Reach out to military
families in your community, especially those with a loved one
overseas. Please do not flood the military mail system with
letters, cards, and gifts. Due to security concerns and
transportation constraints, DoD cannot accept items to be mailed
to
"Any Servicemember." Some people have tried to avoid
this prohibition by sending large numbers of packages to an
individual servicemember's address, which however well
intentioned, clogs the mail and causes unnecessary delays. The
support and generosity of the American people has touched the
lives of many servicemembers, over 300,000 of whom are deployed
overseas.
Below are Web sites for several
organizations that are sponsoring programs for members of the
Armed Forces overseas.
- The America Supports You Web has several ways for you to show your
support, including signing a virtual Thank You card.
- Gifts from the
Homefront allows you to
send a gift certificate to a loved one or dear friend
associated with the military. These certificates are
redeemable by authorized patrons of the PX/BX and are
redeemable at all locations around the world including
deployed areas. If you're looking for the perfect gift to
give that special individual anytime and anywhere, then
"Gifts from the Homefront" Certificates are the
perfect choice.
- "Operation USO Care Package," enables individuals to write a
personal message and financially support care packages
that will be delivered to service members participating
in Operation Enduring Freedom.
- The Gift of Groceries program helps meet the family needs of our
Guard and Reserve troops fighting the war on terrorism.
- Donate a calling card to help keep
servicemembers in touch with their families at Operation Uplink.
What can be mailed to deployed Troops?
A. The following items are
PROHIBITED:
- Illegal substances;
- Alcoholic beverages;
- Explosives, including fireworks;
- Offensive or obscene materials,
including photos, drawings or any other material which
may have the potential to offend members of the opposite
sex, members of another race, background, nationality or
ethnicity; anything which would make uncomfortable,
someone who is deeply religious, conservative or modest.
The following is a list of highly desirable
items for deployed Troops. It is recommend that you keep the
boxes small - about the size of shoe box or a Postal Service
Express mailing box - for easy transportation.
- Beef Jerky
- Books
- Cameras (disposable)
- Camper style foods
- Candy
- Cards
- Chapstick
- Dental floss
- Facial tissues
- Fast food Hot Sauce packets
- Flashlights
- Girl Scout cookies
- Gum
- Magazines
- Moist Wipes
- Music CDs
- Nerf toys (small footballs, etc.)
- Odor Eaters (for boots)
- Pencils
- Pens
- Personal message
- Phone cards
- Playing cards
- Postage
- Powdered drink mix (non-alcoholic)
- Razors
- Sardine
- Sheets of stationery
- Snacks* (cookies, granola bars)
- Tea bags
- Toiletries (travel sizes)
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Travel games
- Travel mugs
- Tuna snack kits
- Valentines
- Vienna Sausages
